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Strike Up the Band (1940)

I would be a neglectful movie reviewer indeed if I thought I could discuss classic movies without giving a nod to the team of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Arguably the most famous teenaged duo of Hollywood history, these two teamed up for several films that were loved by the younger set and the older set as well.

“Strike Up the Band” stars Rooney as Jimmy Connors, a young man who plays the drums in his high school band. He wants to have his own orchestra someday and play for dances at clubs, but his mother has her heart set on a medical career for him. His good friend Mary Holden (Garland) tells him he should just explain to his mother that his heart lies elsewhere, and after he gets up the courage, he does have that talk with his mother and gains her support. Music is all Jimmy wants in his life, and he forgets that other things can be important too—like romance—which leaves Mary out in the cold.

Jimmy has the great idea of holding a dance at the school, and his buddies from the high school band help him out. They’re a rip-roaring success, mostly because of one of the longest musical numbers in the history of mankind, and decide to try for an audition for a radio show, but first they have to raise the money to get to Chicago. Sure enough, they decide to put on a show to raise the money. (Of course they do – that’s the classic storyline of musicals worldwide.) But Jimmy gets a little distracted when a pert blonde bombshell wanders onto the scene and makes a play for him, making Mary feel insignificant but making Jimmy realize just how wonderful Mary truly is.

Judy Garland’s voice is in fine shape in this fun film, and there’s a great animated segment where a bowl of fruit turns into an orchestra. Very cutting edge for 1940.

This film was not rated.

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